HDB Ad now only shows $8,000 for 2-room?

November 19, 2017

Is it not misleading for the HDB to advertise only the prices after grants?

I refer to the almost half-page advertisement “November 2017 Sales Launch” by the HDB (Sunday Times page A11, Nov 19).

I was mildly amused that it said “2-room flexi from $10,000* (Prices after grants* from)

2-room flexi (40 years $8,000 (Sengkang) $93,000 (Geylang))

2-room flexi (99 years $10,000 (Sengkang) $161,000 (Geylang))

So, what percentage of 2-room flats are actually purchased with the maximum housing grants, such that the price is only $8,000?

Isn’t this kind of misleading?

At least in the past – I understand that both the prices before and after grants were shown.

Would the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) care to comment?

What are your thoughts on the above?

By the way – why is it that a 2-room flexi (99 years) cost (after grants) $151,000 more ($161,000 – $10,000) in Geylang ($161,000) compared to Sengkang ($10.000)?

Leong Sze Hian

About the Author

Leong

Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications.